Peer Mentoring at La Sainte Union

Our Peer Mentoring scheme has been running since 2007.

The purpose of the Peer Mentoring is to:• Promote positive relationships amongst Year 7 students• Ease transition from primary to secondary school• Support the development of friendships• Promote a cohesive school community

Peer mentoring compliments the range of support available across the school for our year 7 students. The scheme was awarded Approved Provider Status in 2012 by the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation.

Who are our Peer Mentors?

Our Mentors are a dedicated team year 11 students. They go through a rigorous application process and training program, including attending a three-day residential programme at the end of year 10. They are supported by the Student Support Officer throughout the year. All undertake an ASDAN accredited certificate in Peer Mentoring.

What do our Peer Mentors do?

Peer Mentors provide support on induction day, help out in the year 7 form rooms at registration, run games clubs at lunch, and also offer one to one support. Every new Year 7 is allocated a mentor who they meet during their first week at school. They will see them on several occasions during their first term, individually, as well as in groups. Mentors are experts on the school so offer advice and practical support as well as providing a space where students can talk about anything they are finding difficult. Mentors are also involved in delivering PSHE lessons, where issues around friendship and bullying are addressed.

What year 7s have said about their Peer Mentor:

She has helped me make friends more easily

Talk about things I find hard to speak about

She has helped me realise how I can improve

She’s been kind to me

She played fun games with us at lunch time

She helped me join a club

What year 11s have said about being a peer mentor?

knowing that I have volunteered to help others and watch them develop and settle in a new environment is very rewarding

you are able to use experiences from when you were in the lower years to help others.

I get to help Year 7 and I know what it was like to be in Year 7, so I can help others and see them improve in their confidence.

you get to know the newer pupils. You have a sense of pride in that you are a role model whom people look up to